COVID-19 Sector Representation
Priorities during this pandemic
The priority of the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) during this stage of COVID-19 is to support the mental health sector to keep consumers and families well and supported. WAAMH is working with the Government and the wider sector to make sure this happens. We're all in this together.
What are we doing?
In urgent response to the COVID-19 situation, WAAMH partnered with the Mental Health Commission to host several online sector forums focused on scenario planning and operational support for mental health-specific issues brought about by the pandemic. These forums were focused on developing solutions that would enable and support service providers and the broader mental health system to play its critical role in keeping people well in the community and away from hospitals wherever possible.
WAAMH is actively working to represent the sector’s views to government and is close and regular communication with the Mental Health Commission, other peak bodies and other government agencies as part of a coordinated response. We will ensure your views are fed into these decision making channels. Specifically, the findings of the forums have been fed back to the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug stream of the Community Sector Taskforce, so that government has a clear sense of what it needs to do.
What happens next?
The ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 situation means WAAMH's advocacy will be ongoing as the pandemic evolves. Together with the report WAAMH has submitted to the Mental Health Commission, WAAMH is keen to see additional proposals for strategies addressing sector needs being implemented by the Government. The process will need to be ongoing to ensure the sector is able to respond to issues as they emerge.
The goal is to ensure that our valued members, sector peers and their incredibly hard working staff can continue to do their critical job during this pandemic, and in doing so keep consumers and families safe and well.
COVID-19 sector forums and report
WAAMH has completed the COVID-19 sector scenario planning report, with assistance from our forum facilitator, Joel Levin. The report has been submitted to the Mental Health Commission via the COVID-19 Taskforce. The report outlines the sectors areas of greatest concern during the pandemic, potential responses to these concerns, and recommendations for government action.
WAAMH is working with the Mental Health Commission to develop mechanisms that progress the development of solutions, which have been identified during the COVID-19 forums and will continue to monitor the action taken by government, following up on the issues and strategies outlined in the report.
Further information on WAAMH's COVID-19 mental health sector forums, held in partnership with the Mental Health Commission, can be found through the links below.
Please note, Session 5 is scheduled to take place on 17 July.
Session 1 - Supported accommodation services
Session 3 - Decision making support
Session 4 - Non-residential services
Session 5 - Lessons learned from COVID-19
Connect
If you're seeking ways to remain connected with the sector while being physically apart, WAAMH is facilitating some engaging, accessible online events.
Click through for further details on each:
Matt Ball Free Online Forum - 15 May 10am
Useful resources
WAAMH has collated a number of useful resources that may assist you and/or your organisation at this time.
Contact us
You can contact Chelsea McKinney, WAAMH's Advocacy and Sector Development Manager with your queries, concerns and input surrounding the COVID-19 situation.
Email: CMcKinney@waamh.org.au
Phone: 08) 6246 3003